Russia successfully tested an upgraded PRS-1M interceptor missile

The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) has successfully tested an upgraded version of the missile defense system at the Sary-Shagan training ground (Republic of Kazakhstan), the Russian Defense Ministry said in a report.

“The anti-ballistic missile followed the flight plan and successfully hit a mock target,” said Colonel Andrey Prikhodko of the Russian Air Force. The officer did not elaborate on the test, but said all its objectives had been “completed in full.”

According to some source, the VKS has successfully conducted trials of a new PRS-1M interceptor missile of the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system. The new missile may be deployed either inside a reinforced missile silo or from road-mobile launcher vehicle developed by KB Motor jointly with OJSC Avangard.

The upgraded interceptor missile reportedly has a new hull with a composite material heat shield, a more powerful engine that boosts its speed to 4 km per second and an upgraded guidance system capable of withstanding the pressure of greater acceleration, which can reach almost 300 g.

They PRS-1M interceptor missile destroy targets at a distance of 350 kilometers and at an altitude, according to various estimates, 40-50 thousand meters. Presumably, the long-range missiles will be equipped with a nuclear warhead.